Sending the boys {back}packing!

This past weekend was Luke's annual backpacking trip with Jason. They headed out Friday afternoon for a hike and sleepover in the Hills and other than Luke returning home with a raging fever on Saturday afternoon, they seemed to have a great time! Luke's favorite part? Drinking as much pink lemonade as he wanted! And, one-on-one time with his Dad of course. So thankful Jason makes the time to create special memories with our kids.

Starting school

We decided to continue homeschooling this year and had our first day of school last Monday. 

Luke started First Grade and Mabel started Preschool. 

Other than some typical book work, we played with friends at a park and went for a really beautiful hike at Little Elk Creek, collecting leaves and flowers to press.

Celebrating FOUR years with Mabel!

Mabel turned FOUR years old on Thursday! Every year prior to this (even the year she was born!), I have not been ready for the big day. Not sure if September is just a busy month for us or what, but this year seemed to follow the same course ... a very full week, leading to a very, very full day with celebrations lasting well beyond the kids' usual bed time. We just didn't have enough time to squeeze everything into a normal day :)

Mabel continues to fill our days with joy and laughter. We are so blessed by her happy, silly spirit.

Starting the day with a chocolate cupcake before heading to MOPS :)

Her requested dinner of hot dogs and fruit. 

Racing turtles & other things -- In Turtle Lake, North Dakota

Wow, I've had quite the blogging lull!  Since that start of Spring, life has just seemed to be incredibly busy. We had heaps of DIY house projects that we were able to re-start (some of which we even got to finish!!), plus we had two sets of wonderful visitors and even a couple short outings of our own. I'm hoping I may be able to do a few catch-up posts on those; but for now, our most recent getaway --

North Dakota!
Jason grew up visiting his Dad's hometown of Turtle Lake during the summers to see grandparents and participate in the town's Turtle Days festival, which includes a parade, box car derby races and most importantly, the International Turtle Races!!

I think it's been eight years since we last attended Turtle Days. Since we are living less than 6 hours from Turtle Lake, it seemed like the right time to introduce our kids to this part of their family history.

Jason's parents met up with us in Bismarck for the long weekend which was really great and we also got to catch up with some of Jason's other relatives. Bonus!

A big highlight for me on this trip was seeing this beautiful (award winning) barn which belongs to a cousin of Jason's Dad.

The road to ND, flat & straight.

Hotel life -- watching a TV, swimming & waterslides -- thanks to Jarvis & Marilyn for the early birthday present!!

Seeing some of Jason's family -- aunts, uncles, cousins and the kids got to meet their 2nd cousins.

With Mimi & Papa at Turtle Lake's mascot - Rusty!

Parade fun! Two full bags of candy! 

Lower left two pictures taken by S. Werre

Visiting some of the family farms (Jason's Dad was born in the small structure on the far right)

And the kids got to see gravestones for great-grandparents along with great-great grandparents. Pretty neat.

More photos & fun at the cousin's farm.

Luke & Mabel's first visit to a Capitol building. One of the few non-traditional building styles.

Changing jobs ... without moving!

Jason just finished his second week at a new job. He is now a Service Forester for the state of South Dakota! And, the best part? We didn't have to move to a new house, city, state or country to make this happen! Hurray! An added bonus? Jason's new workplace is a mile from our house, so he can ride his bike to work and there is a park nearby that makes it easy for us to meet up as a family for his lunch break. Woo-hoo!

Most of all, we're hoping this position will be a good fit for Jason and his skill set. Although the National Wild Turkey Federation was a good employer and he learned a lot, his position was lacking in what he'd gone back to school to do - Forestry. While there are Forestry jobs across the world, after being here 20 months, the kids and I were just starting to feel settled and have friends, so Jason looked a little locally and came up with nothing. Then he was approached by someone at the State regarding this position and the rest God lined up for us. We are thankful.


First Day of Work --

Spring in South Dakota with Mom & Dad

My parents arrived for a lovely, long visit on Wednesday evening ... the day after we had yet ANOTHER snow storm!! Our first day of fun together looked like this --

Petting bear cubs

While I was away earlier this month, Jason got to take the kids to a local tourist attraction, Bear Country, USA. My MOPS mentor mom, Karen and her husband generously took them to the park on their season pass. Specifically, for a very special, one-weekend a year event -- Cub Fest! The one weekend where the new crop of bear cubs are able to be pet by visitors.

The big catch to attending this event (other than the cost) is that you have to wait in line inside your car alongside the highway for close to 2 hours before you actually can get in park ... with your small children. Ugh! I am really glad the kids got to go, but I'll admit I am glad I didn't have to be there waiting in the line :)

The park does contain a lot more than just bears ... the kids had a great time checking out all the other animals, and especially loved the bouncy house play area (of course!). Big thanks to Dale & Karen who treated our family to such a fun, memorable day!!!